A word of caution about rhodium plating-- it is electroplating and very thin.

My white gold wedding band was rhodium plated to increase whiteness of the metal; every year or so I used to have to have it replated at the jeweler's (the plating wears off due to contact with the skin.) I finally quit replating it due to the nuisance factor.

I agree, but all white gold is rhodium plated. White gold is not actually white, but more of an egg shell. Rhodium plating is necessary for white gold to be white.

Normally, yes-- however my "replacement" engagement ring, white gold with an unheated Mogok ruby, is not rhodium plated. It was custom cast for me by the jeweler that cut the ruby. He used an alloy that is exceptionally white and I specifically requested that the plating be omitted. Really, it looks white enough to me even without the plating, and looks good with the wedding band.

Pearl Dreams--can you post a picture of the ring when you have a chance. That's sounds really pretty. I am new to pearls, but I have been collecting gemstones (particularly rough gem stones) for longer than I care to recall. It's really hard to find mogok rubies that aren't fractured filled, let alone unheated. I was actually looking to do put together a mogok ruby pendant, but started getting into pearls--which is how I ended up here. My mom is holding a couple vintage 14kw (unplated) pieces from my grandmother that will go to my daughter is old enough to appreciate them. I love the natural look--but I am not sure a lot of people would recognize them as wg today.

I am not entirely sure whether this rhodium plated silver diamond roundel (or rondelle depending on the site) is going to work out. Here's a link to the roundal that I was considering: https://www.bellafindings.com/jewels...nd-rondel-bead I called up Bella's to ask about the durability and the person I spoke to seemed to think it was an oxidized roundel--which I am NOT interested in for this necklace. The pearls warrant 14kw with diamonds, I just don't have that kind of budget--so this was a fall back plan. There are two listings for silver diamond roundels (7x2mm), 13pnts each--one is oxidized, the other is rhodium plated. Both have the same picture--and most of the silver findings look dark--which makes those pictures useless. I decided to order one roundel as a sample.

I would consider, as someone else suggested, using a white gold stardust roundels. Unfortunately, Bella's doesn't carry them and I can't seem to find them any place else (that doesn't require a tax id. number). I can find silver stardust roundels, but the sides look a bit rough and they aren't rhodium plated. I can see that turning into a disaster. If the pearls were relatively inexpensive FW, I might take a chance--but not with tahitians.

If the silver/diamond roundels don't work out, does anyone have any suggestions? Are there any other good places besides Bella's that I should be checking out. I thought about doing a small 14kw bead to cover the knot, I am not sure that really adds anything to the necklace.

I agree, but all white gold is rhodium plated. White gold is not actually white, but more of an egg shell. Rhodium plating is necessary for white gold to be white.

I think that might just be where you are?

Rhodium plating is the exception rather than the rule in the white gold I know well. My grandmother's 18 carat white gold necklace, from the late 1920s, for example, is a gold, silver and palladium alloy, not a hint of rhodium in sight. My own white gold bracelet, which is 9 carat, isn't rhodium plated either.

I think you can also mix gold with silver and a bit of other stuff, what the Greeks used to call Electrum.

I've also read (some time ago, I think) about using tin to whiten white gold alloys, but I wouldn't swear to it.

For my sister's 21st birthday, she was given a necklace including 18 carat white gold. The written bumf that came with it states:

I once met a dealer at JCK that was marketing a new brand called something like "true white." The only product he had were stud earrings for diamonds. I've never seen anything like it elsewhere.

The findings used by companies in the US (non-custom) are, as I understand it, all rhodium plated (Grassman, Stuller, KGH, WHH, etc). Sometimes they arrive without the rhodium and the color is slightly off - not a bright white, which is typically expected in white gold. These then have to be rhodium plated before they can be used.

I do think it is important to note that non-rhodium is the exception to the rule and not common.

A. jones, That's unusual because they use a lot of nickel, zinc and silver in the US. That sounds like a lot of palladium which is more expensive than gold--at least I think so. With gold prices exceeding platinum, that could be different today. I don't recall seeing non-plated white gold in any jewelry store in memory.

The findings used by companies in the US (non-custom) are, as I understand it, all rhodium plated (Grassman, Stuller, KGH, WHH, etc). Sometimes they arrive without the rhodium and the color is slightly off - not a bright white, which is typically expected in white gold. These then have to be rhodium plated before they can be used.

I do think it is important to note that non-rhodium is the exception to the rule and not common.

We've had the nickel debate before - it is banned by European Union law.
In the UK we have to abide by the rules for precious metal mixes and proportions which are in the various Hallmarking Acts (for details just follow the big logo/notice bottom left on my website). I'm not sure what Goldsmith's Hall would make of an electrum mix - I'll email them to ask